The Abduction Of Pretty Penny by Leonard Goldberg

 

In this series, Sherlock Holmes left a daughter, Joanna, to carry on his work.  She grew up and married the son of Dr. Watson and together the two form a team to solve those mysteries which come their way with the assistance of Dr. Watson who is still alive.  Their newest case comes when the owner of the Whitechapel Players, the local theatre group, comes to Joanna to ask her to find their star actress, Pretty Penny.  She has disappeared and there is fear that she has been abducted.

Just like twenty-eight years ago, young prostitutes are being killed on the streets of Whitechapel.  Has Jack the Ripper returned to take back up his grisly task or is there a copycat?  Is there a chance that he could have Pretty Penny?  The investigation shows Penny had a wealthy suitor who insisted on remaining anonymous and that the pair had been quarreling.  Could he have done something to Penny?  Several doctors who work at the local charity clinic and who are also actors at the Players are suspects due to their surgical skills.  

The stakes are raised even higher when Joanna receives a letter that makes it clear that her son, Johnny, has been targeted by the serial killer.  The Watsons need to find the killer both to protect their son and to solve the mystery of Penny's disappearance and possible death.  Can they do so?

This is the fifth book in this series.  At first I was worried that I wouldn't like it since I love the original Sherlock Holmes stories so much but I was quickly drawn in and found myself entranced.  The characters are finely drawn and the premise is believable.  The setting seems very realistic and the author's research detailed.  I listened to this title and the narrator was cool and collected as the entire Watson team was.  This book is recommended for mystery readers and Sherlock Holmes fans.